Wall of Fame
AWAI Member Since: 2007
Age: 56
What’s your current occupation?
Freelance Copywriter and Grant Writer
What’s your former occupation?
Professor of Education
What was the first project you landed?
Aspiring to be a successful freelance copywriter, I approached the owner of the local Business and Technology Center and asked about his current marketing activities. As we spoke, he told me there were 42 professionals who maintained offices in the Center. But he had nine offices that were currently vacant, and he was interested in finding individuals or companies to occupy them. As we discussed the marketing possibilities, and he became acquainted with my copywriting skills, he asked me to develop a brochure to market the available office space. During this project, I worked closely with a local graphic artist, and we collectively developed a winning product for this local businessman.
What are your current projects?
Because I have expertise in the field of grant writing, I’m in the final stages of completing a new grant writing program and promotion for AWAI. I’m hoping this product will encourage other AWAI members to consider building upon their current copywriting skills and become successful grant writers.
What has been your proudest copywriting moment?
Earlier this year, I wrote a grant for our local school district to get money they desperately needed. The district wanted to purchase new computers and updated science and math programs, so their students could increase their academic skills. The grant was funded, and the school district received $377,256. Needless to say, I felt really good about being able to use my writing skills to help the kids and help the school district attain its goals.
What’s your favorite niche to write for?
Grant Writing and Business-to-Business
What’s your income goal for this year?
$180,000
What’s your writing routine?
Most mornings I wake up to the sun rising over our lake. This sight continually provides me with a sense of clarity and purpose.
I usually make a cup of tea and, weather permitting, walk out on our dock to ponder life for a moment, and to mentally organize my thoughts and what I want to accomplish over the next several hours. I then head to my office and begin organizing my materials. Most days I work in my office inside our home. Other days, I head out to our gazebo, turn on a favorite CD, recline in my chaise, boot up my laptop, and begin writing.
I find that I get more done when I write in the early morning – when my mind is clear and the phone isn’t ringing – or very late at night, when it’s quiet.
Most mornings are spent researching grant funding opportunities for current or future clients. Occasionally, I’ll take an afternoon off to run personal errands or visit family. But the truth is, I’m usually in my office most of the day. You see, I really enjoy the B2B copywriting and grant writing that I do. I’ll scan the Internet for grant opportunities, talk with or email clients about potential projects, or write copy. I love the sense of accomplishment that helping clients gives me. And I still get “chicken skin” when I realize the hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of people who are positively affected by a winning grant proposal.
For me, living the “writer’s life” is having the freedom to pick and choose the projects I want to work on. It’s providing help to people and companies that need my skills to move forward. And it’s that sense of accomplishment when copy I write “hits the mark.”
Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a copywriter.
I recently retired from my 30-year career in education. As much as I enjoyed my “regular job” – being a university professor was fun and rewarding – I’d rather be writing copy, especially grant proposals, full-time. It’s just as much fun, every bit as rewarding, and it certainly pays a lot better!
My life has significantly changed, primarily because I now work for myself, not for the university. I have total control over my schedule, and I can work as little or as much as I choose. And most importantly, I’ve widened my professional network and made new friends that will last a lifetime.
What success tip would you like to share with your fellow writers?
Be true to yourself – choose a niche that you love, and success will follow!
When did you realize you were living the copywriter’s life?
When I stopped setting the alarm clock!
